Aryan Manoj Blogs

Something almost every new person I meet ends up asking me is what my diet looks like. And honestly, every time, I find myself pausing because I don’t really have a “perfect” answer. The truth is, I eat pretty much anything and everything I feel like eating.

That might sound surprising, especially coming from an athlete. Most athletes follow strict diets, track every calorie, and build rigid routines around food. And while I completely understand why that works for many people, I’ve realised it doesn’t work for me.

Whenever I try to be too strict or place too many restrictions on myself, it starts to take the joy out of the sport. Slowly, food turns into a list of things I can’t have. Then that list starts to feel like sacrifice. And over time, that feeling of sacrifice can make the sport itself feel like a burden.

That said, I’m not careless about what I eat. The majority of my meals are still built around good habits, making sure I eat high-quality protein, veggies, and a solid source of carbs every meal, so I know I am recovering the right way. I make sure I get at least two fruits every day, and overall, I aim to fuel my body properly to ensure I have enough energy throughout the day. But I also leave room to enjoy the occasional ice cream.

That balance is what works for me. And that’s the key point; this is what works for me and makes me feel good without taking a toll on my self-confidence during training or a race. It also helps that I have very good metabolism and tend to burn off any extra calories I eat without it being too much of a hassle.

It won’t necessarily work for everyone. Every athlete is different. Everyone’s body responds differently to food, training, and routine. What helps one person perform at their best might not do the same for someone else.

So instead of trying to copy someone else’s diet, including the best athletes in the world, I think it’s far more important to experiment, listen to your body and figure out what works best for you, and maybe don’t be too hard on yourself because at the end of the day, is a life without chocolates and cookies even worth living?